Gas-tube mounting



Aug. 6, 1929. c. J. WAMSER GAS TUBE MOUNTING Filed Aug. 3, 1928 Patented Aug. 6,1929.

UNITED STATES 1,723,670 PATENT OFFICE;

CHARLES J. WAMSE-R, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

GAS-TUBE MOUNTING.

Application filed August 3, 1928. Serial No. 297,353.

has occurre due to the short circuiting of portions of thewiring, thedanger of shocks, and the dangerof short circuits from various causes, such for instance, as moisture or improper handling of thewirmg in therestricted space usually provided.

This invention overcomes the defects noted above, and objects of such invention are to provide a novel form of gas tube "mounting which is so made that the gas tube is freely removable from the exterior of the casing which carries the high tenslon wlres, so that there is no occasion for opening this casing or tampering with the wiring.

Further objects are to provide a gas tube mounting which insures the maintenanceof a good contact under all conditions, which avoids all open joints,*-which has no exposed high tension wiring with consequent chance of shock, which cannot be short circuited by moisture and consequently cannot burn out due to short circuits, and which forms a. sup port for the hi h tension wiring itself 1n addition to furnis ing a support for the readily removable tube. Further objects of this invention are to provide a novel form of gas tube mounting which does not require the repair man to make any alterations whatsoever in the woring or open the casing containing the wiring, so that the utmost protection is aiforded, and also the utmost ease for renewals.-

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view through the casing and through the support for one end of the tube, such view corresponding to a section on the line 11 of Figure 2;

Figure 2 is a face view of the casing showin the tube in place;

igure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1; V

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line H of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that the high tension wiring, such as indicated by the reference character 1 is preferably provided with an insulating sheath 2.

At the point where the connection is desired,

. a small sleeve 3 of metal is provided and connected with the wiring 1.

The casing 4 for the sign is preferably formed of metal and is of box-like contour and adapted to contain all of the high tension Wiring, so that no danger to the operator or repair man can result. This casing is provided with apertures at intervals within which thimble-like, elongated bushings 5 of insulating material, preferably, glass, are positioned. These bushings are closed at their inner ends, and at their outer ends are pro vided with flanges 6 which contact with the outcr face of the casing4. They are held in place by means of rubber or other washers 7.

These washers may, if desired, be locked in place b means of a small locking ring 8. The 100 ingringS is provided with upwardly projecting, manipulating ears 9 by means of which it may be turned to position the notches 10 adjacent lugs 11 formed on the glass bushing 5, as shown most clearly in Fig ure 3. After 'the locking washer or locking ring 8 is positioned, it is turned a quarter turn to the position shown in Figure 3, to thus lock itself beneath the lugs 11 cast on the bushing 5.

The bushing 5 is, as stated, closed at its inner end but is provided with lateral apertures provided with yielding gaskets 12 through which the wiring may pass. These gaskets seal tightly against the walls of the apertures 13 and also against the conductor. The gas tube, such as the neon tube 14 is usual] provided with a cylindrical portion 15 at eac end. These cylindrical portions are provided with electrodes 16 which project rom the end of the gas tube.

A small helical spring 17 is soldered or otherwise secured to the pro'ecting end of the terminal or electrode an is provided with a terminal washer equipped with aprojecting head 18, which when the tube is in position, as shown in Figure 1, contacts with the connecting sleeve 3. This contact is maintaine due to the resiliency of the spring so that there is no possible chance of a faulty or defective contact. Inaddition, the tube is freel removable by merely slipping it out from t e glass bushing.

At intervals along the casing 4, projecting supporting studs or posts 19 formed of insulating material are provided. These posts have outer feet 20 which may be slightly I banding flexible member 21, as shown in Figtween the bushin tires 1 and 2.

Obviously, in removing a defective tube,

all that is necessary is to loosen the banding or flexible member 21 and slide the tube directly outwardly from the casing 4. A new tube is most easily substituted for the removed tube, and all that. is necessary is to again apply thestrands 21 to retain the tube in contact with the feet 20 of the posts 19.

It is preferable to form the washer 7 of yielding material so that it grips the body of the lass bushing and also locks the bushing in place in a yielding manner. In addition, this gasket maintainsa water-tight joint beand the outer portion of the casing 4, so t at no moisture can enter the casing. Thus, there is a secure and effective construction which is substantially fool-proof, and which in addition to the characteristics enumerated previously, ma be readily manufactured and easily assem led.

It will be seen further that even an unskilled operator or repairman can substitute a new tube for a broken or defective tube without any danger whatsoever.

Although it is customary to cut off the current in replacing tubes, nevertheless if by accident the current is left on, no danger is occasioned the repair man, as he does not come in contact with, or in proximity to; any high tension wiring whatsoever.

. Although the invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting as the invention may be variously embodied and as the scope of such invention is to be determined as claimed.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing, a bushing of'insulating material extending into said casing and having a closed inner end and an open outer end extending outwardly through a wall of said casin a high tension conductor located within sald casing and extending through said bushing and'havin a contact located within said bushing, an a gas tube having one end projecting mto said bushing and provided with a yielding terminal contact engaging said first mentioned contact.

2. A display device comprising a casing, a pluralit of insulating bushings projecting into sai casing and provided with o n outer ends, a gas tube havin ends remova 1y positioned within said bus ings and having electrodesprovided with terminals at the ends of said tube, spiral springs secured to said terminals, contacts carried at the ends of said springs, and conductors located within said casing and assing into said bushings, said conductors liavin exposed metal portions located within sai bushings for engagement by said contacts.

3. A display device comprising'a casing, 11

pluralit of msulating bushings projecting into sai casing and provided with o n outer ends, a gas tube havin ends remova ly posi tioned within said bu in and having electrodes rovided with terminals at the ends of said tu e, spiral springs secured to said terminals, contacts carried at the ends of said springs, conductors located within said casing and assing into said bushings, said conductors aving exposed metal portions located within said bushings for engagement b .said contacts and an insulating post carried by said casing for supggrting an intermediate portion of said tu In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin.

CHARLES J. WAMSER. 

